enough to show for about ten
seconds?"

"Oh--not long. But what of?"

"I'll explain that presently. But you could make such a section of film,
develop and print it, and insert it in the picture you are going to show
to-night, if you had to, couldn't you?"

"Yes--if we had to. But what's the idea?"

Duvall took a bit of paper from his pocket and handed it to Baker.

"I want you to make a picture of this, and have it inserted in the film
at any convenient point--say at the beginning of the second part. And
you had better have the cutting and pasting-in done by some trusted
person, under your personal supervision."

"But," said Baker, gazing in amazement at the bit of paper Duvall had
handed him. "What's the idea of putting this in our picture? It wouldn't
do at all."

"Look at that telegram Mr. Edwards just gave you. The writer says in it,
'I shall be there.' Now if the person who is causing all this trouble is
going to be in the audience at the Grand Theater to-night, it is our
business to find her. I say her, because I am convinced the guilty
person is a woman."

A look of comprehension began to dawn upon Mr. Baker's face.

"By George!" he exclaimed. "You figure out that this will cause her to
disclose herself--make some sign?"

"I feel certain of it."

"Then we will put it in." He laid the square of paper on his desk. "I
will have the section of film made privately, and at once. I shall not
tell even the other officers of the company about it. I suppose they
will give me the devil, until after they know the reasons for it, but
then, of course, it will be all right."

Duvall rose and put out his hand.

"You will be there to-night, of course?"

"Of course. And you?"

"Oh, I'll be on hand all right, although you may not recognize me. Good
day." With a quick hand-shake he left the room, and went to look for
Ruth and her mother. He found them in the girl's dressing-room, ready to
depart. Ruth was pale and terrified, showing the most intense
nervousness in every word and movement. Mrs. Morton, scarcely less
affected, strove with all her power to remain calm, in order that her
daughter might not break down completely. Duvall did his best to cheer
them up.

"You must not let this thing prey on your mind, Miss Morton," he said.
"We are going to put a stop to it, and that very soon."

"I hope so, Mr. Duvall," the girl replied. "If you don't, I'm afraid I
shall break down completely."

"I think we had bet